Arsenal are going to need their big players to step up this season if they are to finally land their first Premier League title since 2004.
Mikel Arteta’s squad is looking stronger than ever before during his six-year reign at the club thanks to some decisive actions in the transfer market by Andrea Berta.
Arsenal are hopeful of signing Piero Hincapie before the deadline on September 1st as Jakub Kiwior edges closer to a move to Porto.
It gives the Gunners real strength in depth all over the pitch alongside headline makers such as Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres. However, Micah Richards has highlighted one player he thinks will be more important than the attacking duo this season.
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Micah Richards thinks Martin Zubimendi will be Arsenal’s most important player this season
Speaking on the latest episode of ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast, Richards has highlighted Gunners midfielder Martin Zubimendi as their most important player this season.
Martin Odegaard has been impressed by Zubimendi since arriving at the club and Richards believes the midfielder will be a big influence in the middle of the park.
Richards stated: “And the fact that Arsenal have, you know, they played okay in the first game against United, then played a Stormer against Leeds, didn’t they? But Zubimendi just knits everything together.
“So I don’t think he’ll be raved about, like maybe a Gyokeres or Saka, but he could be going forward, the most important player for them in terms of how they dictate and move from back to front.”
The Spaniard struggled at Old Trafford to cope with the pace of the game, however, it was later revealed he was struggling with illness heading into the match.
He was excellent against Leeds, controlling the pace of the game and sustaining Arsenal’s attacks – Arteta will be hoping for more of the same at Anfield in their next clash.
Micah Richards unsure of Martin Zubimendi’s best position
Speaking on the same podcast, Richards also compared Zubimendi’s arrival into the Premier League to Manchester City star Rodri.
The pundit has discussed Zubimendi adapting to the Premier League and admits that he still isn’t sure where he sees the 26-year-old’s best position at the Gunners.
Richards explained: “Yeah, I would say in that holding role, but he can play a little bit further forward as well. I think he’s going to be, do you remember when Rodri first come to Manchester City?
“I was looking at him thinking, he’s not really Busquets or anything like that. Took him a while to get settled into the Premier League and know exactly what the team wanted.
“I thought he was a little bit slow on the turn, but he uses his brain better than anyone else. After four or five months, he was just exceptional in terms of reading the game, the way of pass, knowing where to be for the counter attack.
“He just mastered everything so quickly. Zubimendi is a little bit different because he’s not got the stature of a Rodri in terms of size, but his technical ability on the ball and his know-how is very good. I think at times, coming from Sociedad to the Premier League is always going to be tough.
“I remember when David Silva first came over from the league and he was saying, it’s just relentless, but those sort of players find a way.”
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